I enjoy using any programming language and computer architecture that helps achieve lower cost solutions for typical business processes. Currently I'm working on cloud deployment strategies

Favorite DB: mySQL

Favorite Languages: PHP, Perl, Javascript, Awk

Favorite Architecture: Linux - CentOS

Favorite Cloud: AWS

Best Suggestions: If you're developing a web application, try New Relic - its a great tool. If you want to do CC payments, try Stripe.

Best to avoid: AWS CloudWatch - its just not worth it, see my suggestion above. Lock-in technologies - Amazon RDS and others. Unless you're really sure you'll never want to leave and know the real downsides, be forewarned - simplicity can be the first step to ignorance of true implementation issues.